God's Mercy and Man's Foolishness

2 Kings 13:4 & 6 " So Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel: because the king of Syria oppressed them... Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam who made Israel sin, but walked in them."

Such a clear demonstration of God's mercy! Such a clear demonstration of man's foolishness! We, in our disobedience and rebellion, are still spared and delivered from oppression, because God, in His mercy, listens to our prayer for deliverance. Yet, look! They continued in sin--something we also often do. May God spare us from this outright rebellion.

The Sinner's Desire

To sin no more! To sin no more!

That's what my heart desires.

Yet still I trod along this path

Of thorns, and stones, and briers.

To war no more! To war no more!

This battle dark and dreary.

Yet still my hand doth clutch a sword

Even though my soul is weary.

To die no more! To die no more!

But have a life eternal.

Be freed from sins and deathly traps,

And all to me that's lethal.

What a Comfort!

The imperfections of life made me blue other day. It seemed there was so much to do and accomplish, yet so little time and courage and will to accomplish them. I was so focused on these imperfections, that I began to forget the promises of a perfect God. This perfect God, however, was quick to remind me. I opened my Bible to read a Psalm, and here is what caught my eye: "He will ever be mindful of His covenant." (Psalm 111:5b)


"Though God's people have their infirmities, and are often unmindful of His commands, yet He will ever be mindful of His covenant." - Matthew Henry


No matter how often I fail to obey, no matter how quickly I forget God's commands, HE DOESN'T FORGET. He is ever mindful of His covenant. In my weakness, I often doubt His promises, yet He is every mindful of it.
This should give us reason to rejoice in Him an His Son.

A Hundred Blows

"A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding 

         Than a hundred blows into a fool. " - Prov. 17:10

This verse was recited by my very wise father and pastor during one of those one-on-one daughter-father counseling. I was going through something I had gone through before. And it discouraged me greatly that I had not learned my lesson the first time. I had been rebuked once...and I had failed to listen. I got hurt, and clearly saw the foolishness in my actions. Unfortunately, I failed to be "one who has understanding", and instead became a fool. Something very, very similar happened again....and again I got into trouble. What a mercy that my Father still opted to deliver me from these hideous mistakes! And what a mercy that He does not give up on me! Yes, perhaps I was not as wise as I should have been... but a blow on a fool....is still for the good of the fool. God still has mercy and he does not give up on teaching me. I pray He would give me grace and make me wise. But I do not resent the blows He gives to teach me in my foolishness. God is good all the time. :)